Touch panel stackup

ABSTRACT

A touch panel stackup comprises a substrate having a substantially transparent first region and a substantially opaque second region, a sensing electrode detecting a tactile signal, a conductive circuit electrically coupled with the sensing electrode, and a masking element configured on the second region of the substrate, wherein the sensing electrode, the conductive circuit, and the masking element are integrally formed on the substrate.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/942,056, titled “TOUCH PANEL STACKUP” and filedon Nov. 9, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a touch panel stackup. Morespecifically, the invention relates to the touch panel stackupintegrally formed on a singular substrate.

2. Description of Related Art

Touch panels are popular input devices. When the user touches a certainposition on the touch panel, corresponding to the text or the images onthe underneath display device, the touch panel senses the tactilesignals and transmits them to a controller for further signalprocessing. The controller processes the tactile signals and outputssignals corresponding to the touched position. There are several typesof touch panels, for example, resistive types, capacitive types,infrared types, surface acoustic wave types, etc. For instance, thecapacitive touch panels detect the difference of capacitance of thetouch panel. When the user touches the touch panel, the capacitance onthe corresponding position is changed. The touch panel and thecontroller detect and calculate the difference in capacitance and thenoutput corresponding signals.

The conventional touch panel includes one or more layers of sensingelectrodes, conductive circuits, masking elements, a supportingsubstrate, and a protective lens substrate providing anti-scratch,anti-glare, and/or anti-reflective function. In the fabricating processof conventional touch panels, the components are formed separately onthe supporting substrate and the protective lens substrate. Afterwards,the supporting substrate and the protective lens substrate are laminatedto form the touch panel. For example, the sensing electrodes are formedon the supporting substrate, and the masking elements and the conductivecircuits are formed on the protective lens substrate. After laminatingthe supporting substrate and the protective lens substrate, theconductive circuits are electrically coupled with the sensing electrodesfor transmitting tactile inputs. The masking elements can cover theconductive circuits to eliminate the visual interference of theconductive circuit when the users watch the information on the display.The conventional two-substrate approaches increase the thickness of thetouch panels. Moreover, a precise positioning is needed in thelamination process to properly connect the sensing electrodes and theconductive circuits. The manufacturing complexity is thereforeincreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a touch panel stackup is disclosed and comprises: asingular integrated substrate having a substantially transparent firstregion and a substantially opaque neighboring region, a sensingelectrode detecting a tactile signal, a conductive circuit electricallycoupled with the sensing electrode, and a masking element configured onthe neighboring region of the substrate, wherein the sensing electrode,the conductive circuit, and the masking element are integrally formed onthe substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present disclosure becomes moreapparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a touch panel according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a sixthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a tenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a twelfthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a thirteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a fourteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a fifteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a sixteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a seventeenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to an eighteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a nineteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a touch panel according to a twentiethembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a touch panel according to another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a top view and sectional views of a touch panel according tostill another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top view of a touch panel according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A top view of a first embodiment of the present invention, a touch panel100, is shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of sensing electrodes 20, aplurality of conductive circuits 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a substrate 10. In this embodiment, the sensingelectrodes 20 and the conductive circuits 30 configured in the Xdirection are used. The sensing electrodes 20 and the conductivecircuits 30 can also be configured in the Y direction and/or in both theX and the Y directions.

The invention aims to manufacture a touch panel by using a singularsubstrate. The substrate has supporting and protective functions andcomprises a viewable area and a neighboring area which is next to theviewable area. The touch panel can be used in various display devices. Amethod to manufacture a slim type touch panel is to have the sensingelectrodes, the conductive circuits, the masking elements, and othercomponents fabricated on a singular substrate. The touch panels can bedirectly attached to the display devices. Accordingly, the thickness andthe cost of one substrate can be reduced, and the lamination process iseliminated.

The substrate 10 can be made of organic or inorganic non-conductivematerials, such as, plastic, glasses, etc. The non-conductive substrate10 is substantially transparent. Anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/oranti-reflective elements can be pasted, printed, dyed, sputtered, orcoated on the substrate 10. According to the application, material withsuitable hardness can be chosen as the substrate 10, for example,tempered glasses, flexible elastic materials, etc. A substantiallytransparent viewable area 11 on the substrate 10 is used to show theinformation on the underneath display device. A substantially opaqueneighboring area 12 is positioned between the viewable area 11 and theedges of the substrate 10. The neighboring area 12 covers the elementsthat interfere with the information shown on the underneath displaydevice.

The sensing electrodes 20 can be made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO),Aluminum Zinc Oxide, Zinc Tin Oxide, or other substantially transparentconductive materials, for example, conductive glasses, conductivepolymer, carbon nanotube, etc. The sensing electrodes 20 are configuredor disposed on the viewable area 11 and the neighboring area 12, andhave electrode patterns for sensing tactile inputs. The conductivecircuits 30 are electrically coupled with the sensing electrodes 20 inthe neighboring area 12 for transmitting the sensed tactile signals to acontroller 80. The conductive circuits 30 can be made of aluminum,silver, copper, or the same conductive materials as the sensingelectrode 20.

The conductive circuits 30 with metallic colors or other opaque colorsvisually interfere with the information shown on the underneath displaydevice. A masking element 40 is configured or disposed on theneighboring area 12 for substantially covering the conductive circuits30 and the backlight of the display device. The visual interference cantherefore be reduced. The masking element 40 does not need to becompletely opaque. The degree of opaqueness can be chosen for differentapplications. For example, black or other substantially opaquephotoresistor, resin, or ink can be used to block the backlight leakageof the display device and reduce the visual interference of theconductive circuits 30. The masking element 40 can be pasted, printed,dyed, sputtered, or coated on the substrate 10. The elements in thisembodiment and the other embodiments demonstrated below can be made ofthe aforementioned materials or other suitable materials according tothe different requirements of the applications.

In FIG. 1, the neighboring area 12 is configured or disposed on theperiphery of the touch panel 100. The neighboring area 12 can also beconfigured on an edge of the substrate 10 or the location and shape ofneighboring area 12 can be changed according to the design ofproduction. In FIG. 22, the viewable area 11 of the touch panel 2200 hasopaque areas 13 and 14 designated for special functions, for instance,the dialing and hang-up function of the mobile phone, and the geometricdistribution of sensing electrodes 20 and conductive circuits 30 can bedesigned accordingly. The conductive circuits 30 can be configured ordisposed under the opaque areas 13 and 14. The layout of the sensingelectrodes 20 can be changed accordingly. Therefore, the touch panel2200 can have larger viewable area 11 and be used with borderlessdisplay devices.

The embodiment in FIG. 1 only uses the horizontal sensing electrodes 20.If horizontal sensing electrodes 20 and vertical sensing electrodes 21are used at the same time an isolating element will need to have to beused to electrically isolate the sensing electrodes 20 from sensingelectrodes 21 or the electrode patterns need to be had a distinctivedesign. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 the horizontal sensingelectrodes 20 and vertical sensing electrodes 21 are used. The isolatingelement 96 and conductors 94 in the bottom right of FIG. 23 are removedto show the relative positions of conductors 92 and other elements. Thesensing electrodes 20 include a plurality of electrode patterns 90 and aplurality of conductors 94. The sensing electrodes 21 also include aplurality of electrode patterns 90 and conductors 92. The isolatingelement 96 electrically isolates the conductors 92 from conductors 94.The sensing electrodes 20 and 21 are therefore electrically isolated anderroneous conducting signal can be prevented. In the embodiment shown insectional view (A), the isolating element 96 covers the conductors 92.The conductors 94 are configured or disposed on the isolating element 96and electrically coupled with the electrode patterns 90. In analternative embodiment shown in sectional view (B), the isolatingelement 96 covers the conductors 92 and at least part of the electrodepatterns 90. The conductors 94 is configured or disposed on theisolating element 96 and electrically coupled with the electrodepatterns via the through holes 98. In another embodiment shown insectional view (C), the isolating element 96 covers the conductors 92.The conductor 94 and the electrode patterns 90 are made of the samematerial at the same time. Alternative, the electrode patterns 90 areconfigured first and electrically coupled with the conductor 94 made ofthe same material.

As shown in FIG. 24, the two sensing electrodes 20 at the left side areembodied with a plurality of conductors 92 and several electrodepatterns 90 of different shapes. The two sensing electrodes 20 at theright side, each comprises only a single electrode pattern 90. Theembodiment in FIG. 24 is a capacitive touch panel, wherein the sensingelectrodes 20 are positioned in the Y direction. Different capacitancechanges will be produced when users touch different position onelectrode patterns 20, which allow us to locate Y coordinates.Therefore, the electrode patterns 20 can detect the tactile signals inthe X direction and Y direction. Moreover, the electrode patterns 90 canalso be made of the same size and shape but have different conductivityor other kinds of address coded schemes can be adopted so that theelectrode patterns 90 can sense tactile signals in the first and seconddirection. The geocoded electrode patterns can also be used in the otherembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along the A-A′ line in the touch panel100 in FIG. 1. Touch panel stackup 200 comprises a singular integratedsubstrate 10 which has supporting and protective functions and is madeof a transparent non-conductive material, for instance, glass, plastic,etc. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring areanext to the viewable area. The sensing electrode 20, made of ITO orother suitable materials, is configured or disposed under the substrate10 for sensing the tactile signals. The substantially opaque andnon-conductive masking element 40 is configured or disposed under thesensing electrode 20. The through hole 50 is configured or disposed at asuitable location of the masking element 40 for coupling the conductivecircuit 30 with the sensing electrode 20 and therefore transmitting thesensed tactile signals. The masking element 40 covers most of theconductive circuit 30. The dimension of the through hole 50 and thematerial of the conductive circuit 30 are properly chosen to reduce theviewable area of the conductive circuit 30 from the through hole 50. Athrough hole 50 of μm-level dimension, for example, less than 30 μm indiameter, can reduce the visual interference of the conductive circuit30. Alternatively, the sensing electrode 20 can be configured ordisposed in the through hole 50 for coupling with the conductive circuit30.

A second embodiment, a touch panel 300, is shown in FIG. 3. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, and athrough hole 50 are integrally formed on a singular substrate 10. Thesubstrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring area next tothe viewable area and has supporting and protective functions. Theconductive circuit 30 is configured or disposed between the substrate 10and the masking element 40. The material, the dimension, the viewablearea, and the position of the conductive circuit 30 are properly chosento reduce the visual interference. For example, the viewable area of theconductive circuit 30 is limited in μm level or the position of theconductive circuit 30 is chosen to be covered by the casing of thedisplay device. In this embodiment, the sensing electrode 20 isconfigured or disposed in the through hole 50 for coupling with theconductive circuit 30. Alternatively, the conductive circuit 30 can beconfigured or disposed in the through hole 50 for coupling with thesensing electrode 20.

A third embodiment, a touch panel 400, is shown in FIG. 4. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a singular integrated substrate 10. The substrate10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewablearea and has supporting and protective functions. The masking element 40is made of opaque and anisotropic conductive material. By processing theanisotropic conductive material in the area 41, for example, clamping inthe Y direction, the masking element 40 between the sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 is conductive in the Y direction. Becausethe resistivity of the masking element 40 in the X direction is high,the masking element 40 can be regarded as non-conductive. Therefore, thesensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 do not couple withother sensing electrodes or conductive circuits in the X direction.Thus, erroneous conducting signals can be prevented. For example, someanisotropic conductive materials have the resistivity of less than 15Kohm in the processed area. The resistivity of masking element 40 amongthe X direction of masking element 40, the sensing electrode 20 or theconductive circuit 30, can be as high as 10{circumflex over ( )}8 ohm/30um and it can be regarded as non-conductive. A through hole is notneeded in the masking element 40 in this embodiment. Instead, themasking element 40, made of the anisotropic conductive material, is usedto cover the conductive circuit 30 and to couple the sensing electrode20 with the conductive circuit 30. Besides, the distance between twoconductive circuits 30 can be configured to be farther than the distancebetween the conductive circuit 30 and the sensing electrode 20. Thus,the impedance between the conductive circuit 30 and the sensingelectrode 20 is smaller than the impedance between two conductivecircuits 30. Erroneous conducting signals can be prevented.

A fourth embodiment, a touch panel 500, is shown in FIG. 5. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprisesa viewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and hassupporting and protective functions. The conductive circuit 30 isconfigured or disposed between the substrate 10 and the masking element40. The material, the dimension, the viewable area, and the position ofthe conductive circuit 30 are properly chosen to reduce the visualinterference. For example, the viewable area of the conductive circuit30 is limited in μm level or the position of the conductive circuit 30is chosen to be covered by the casing of the display device. In thisembodiment, an anisotropic conductive material is used as the maskingelement 40 for coupling the sensing electrode 20 with the conductivecircuit 30. By processing the anisotropic conductive material in thearea 41, for example, clamping in the Y direction, the masking element40 between the sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 isconductive in the Y direction. Because of the high resistivity of themasking element 40 in the X direction, the masking element 40 can beregarded as non-conductive. Therefore, the sensing electrode 20 and theconductive circuit 30 do not couple with other sensing electrodes orconductive circuits in the X direction. Thus, erroneous conductingsignals can be prevented. Besides, the distance between two conductivecircuits 30 can be configured to be farther than the distance betweenthe conductive circuit 30 and the sensing electrode 20. Thus, theimpedance between the conductive circuit 30 and the sensing electrode 20is smaller than the impedance between two conductive circuits 30.Erroneous conducting signals can be prevented.

A fifth embodiment, a touch panel 600, is shown in FIG. 6. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprisesa viewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and hassupporting and protective functions. The sensing electrode 20 isconfigured or disposed between the conductive circuit 30 and the maskingelement 40. The masking element 40 substantially covers the conductivecircuit 30. The sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 aredirectly coupled under the masking element 40. A conductive adhesive canbe optionally applied between the sensing electrode 20 and theconductive circuit 30 for a stronger connection.

A sixth embodiment, a touch panel 700, is shown in FIG. 7. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprisesa viewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and hassupporting and protective functions. The conductive circuit 30 isconfigured or disposed between the sensing electrode 20 and the maskingelement 40. The masking element 40 substantially covers the conductivecircuit 30. The sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 aredirectly coupled under the masking element 40. A conductive adhesive canbe optionally applied between the sensing electrode 20 and theconductive circuit 30 for a stronger connection.

A seventh embodiment, a touch panel 800, is shown in FIG. 8. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, and adielectric element 60 are integrally formed on a singular substrate 10.The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring area nextto the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions. Thesensing electrode 20 is configured or disposed between the conductivecircuit 30 and the dielectric element 60. The masking element 40substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. The sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled or electricallycoupled with a conductive adhesive under the masking element 40. Thedielectric element 60 is configured or disposed between the sensingelectrode 20 and the masking element 40 and between the conductivecircuit 30 and the masking element 40. Thus, the sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 are better isolated from the maskingelement 40 and do not conduct with other sensing electrodes orconductive circuits via the masking element 40. The dielectric element60 can be made of silicon, silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride(SixNy), non-conductive polymer, etc. The dielectric element 60 can alsobe configured or disposed between the sensing electrode 20 and themasking element 40, and/or between the conductive circuit 30 and themasking element 40 in other embodiments. When the dielectric element 60is adopted in the embodiment, the masking element 40 has a lowerisolating requirement and can be selected from more materials.

An eighth embodiment, a touch panel 900, is shown in FIG. 9. A sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, and adielectric element 60 are integrally formed on a singular substrate 10.The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring area nextto the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions. Theconductive circuit 30 is configured or disposed between the sensingelectrode 20 and the dielectric element 60. The masking element 40substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. The sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled or electricallycoupled with a conductive adhesive under the masking element 40. Thedielectric element 60 is configured or disposed between the sensingelectrode 20 and the masking element 40, and between the conductivecircuit 30 and the masking element 40. Thus, the sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 are better isolated from the maskingelement 40 and do not conduct with other sensing electrodes orconductive circuits via the masking element 40.

The ninth and tenth embodiments, touch panels 1000 and 1100, are shownin FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, respectively. In these embodiments, a sensingelectrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40 areintegrally formed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprisesa viewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and hassupporting and protective functions. The material, the dimension, theviewable area, and/or the position of the conductive circuit 30 areproperly chosen to reduce the visual interference. The sensing electrode20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled or electricallycoupled with a conductive adhesive, and are configured or disposedbetween the substrate 10 and the masking element 40.

The eleventh and twelfth embodiments, touch panels 1200 and 1300, areshown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, respectively. In these embodiments, asensing electrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, anda dielectric element 60 are integrally formed on a singular substrate10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring areanext to the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions.The two embodiments have similar structures to the ninth and the tenthembodiments. The properly sized conductive circuit 30 is configured ordisposed between substrate 10 and dielectric element 60. The material,the dimension, the viewable area, and/or the position of the conductivecircuit 30 are properly chosen to reduce the visual interference. Thesensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupledor electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive, and are configuredor disposed between the substrate 10 and the dielectric element 60. Thedielectric element 60 is configured between the sensing electrode 20 andthe masking element 40 and between the conductive circuit 30 and themasking element 40. Thus, the sensing electrode 20 and the conductivecircuit 30 are better isolated from the masking element 40 and do notconduct with other sensing electrodes or conductive circuits via themasking element 40.

A thirteenth embodiment, a touch panel 1400, is shown in FIG. 14. Asensing electrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, and a masking element 40are integrally formed on a singular substrate 10. The masking element 40substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. The sensing electrode 20and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled or electricallycoupled with a conductive adhesive. The material, the dimension, theviewable area, and/or the position of the conductive circuit 30 areproperly chosen to reduce the visual interference.

A fourteenth embodiment, a touch panel 1500, is shown in FIG. 15. Asensing electrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, anda dielectric element 60 are integrally formed on a singular substrate10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring areanext to the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions.The masking element 40 substantially covers the conductive circuit 30.The material, the dimension, the viewable area, and/or the position ofthe conductive circuit 30 are properly chosen to reduce the visualinterference. The sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 aredirectly coupled or electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive. Thedielectric element 60 is configured or disposed between the sensingelectrode 20 and the masking element 40 and between the conductivecircuit 30 and the masking element 40 for better isolation.

In the aforementioned embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-15, the sensingelectrode 20, the conductive circuit 30, the masking element 40, and/orthe dielectric element 60 are fabricated on the same surface of thesubstrate 10. In addition to stand-alone touch panels, the presentinvention can be embodied in other touch sensing devices with singularsubstrate, for example, an integrally formed touch sensing display.Other kind of materials, such as, anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/oranti-reflective materials, can also be applied. In the followingembodiments, the touch panel are fabricated on the two surfaces of thesingular substrate 10.

A fifteenth embodiment, a touch panel 1600, is shown in FIG. 16. Asensing electrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, anda protective element 70 are integrally formed on a singular substrate10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring areanext to the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions.The sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directlycoupled or electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on onesurface of the substrate 10. The sensing electrode 20 is configured ordisposed between the substrate 10 and the conductive circuit 30. Themasking element 40 is configured or disposed on the other surface of thesubstrate 10 and substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. Theprotective element 70 can be made of aforementioned substantiallytransparent materials. The protective element 70 substantially coversthe masking element 40. Optionally, the protective element can provideanti-scratch, anti-glare, and/or anti-reflective functions. Alternative,the protective element 70 can be omitted. The protective element 70 canbe made of the same material of the substrate 10. Alternative, thesubstrate 10, the masking element 40, and the protective element 70 canbe integrally formed before configuring other elements. The maskingelement 40 is configured or disposed on the different surface from theone having the sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30. Theisolating requirement and the heat tolerance requirement of the maskingelement 40 can be lower and selected from more materials.

A sixteenth embodiment, a touch panel 1700, is shown in FIG. 17. Asensing electrode 20, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element 40, anda protective element 70 are integrally formed on a singular substrate10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and a neighboring areanext to the viewable area and has supporting and protective functions.The sensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directlycoupled or electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on onesurface of the substrate 10. The conductive circuit 30 is configured ordisposed between the substrate 10 and the sensing electrode 20. Themasking element 40 is configured or disposed on the other surface of thesubstrate 10 and substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. Theprotective element 70 can be made of aforementioned substantiallytransparent materials. The protective element 70 substantially coversthe masking element 40. Optionally, the protective element 70 canprovide anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/or anti-reflective functions.Alternative, the protective element 70 can be omitted.

A seventeenth embodiment, a touch panel 1800, is shown in FIG. 18.Sensing electrodes 20, 21, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element40, and a protective element 70 are integrally formed on a singularsubstrate 10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and aneighboring area next to the viewable area and has supporting andprotective functions. The sensing electrodes 20 and 21 are configured ordisposed on different surfaces of the substrate 10. The sensingelectrode 20 senses the tactile inputs in a first direction and thesensing electrodes 21 sense the tactile input in a second direction. Thesensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupledor electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on one surface of thesubstrate 10. The sensing electrode 20 is configured or disposed betweenthe substrate 10 and the conductive circuit 30. The masking element 40is configured or disposed between the other surface of substrate 10 andthe protective element 70, and substantially covers the conductivecircuit 30. Alternatively, the sensing electrode 21 can be configured ordisposed between the protective element 70 and the masking element 40,or the protective element 70 can be configured or disposed between thesensing electrode 21 and the masking element 40. Also, the sensingelectrode 21 and the masking element 40 can be configured withoutoverlapping between the protective element 70 and the substrate 10, orthe protective element can be configured without overlapping betweensubstrate 10 and sensing electrode 21. The protective element 70substantially covers the masking element 40 or covers the entire surfacethe substrate 10. Optionally, the protective element can have areflective index close to the reflective index of the sensing electrode21 and/or can provide anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/or anti-reflectivefunctions. Alternatively, the protective element 70 can be omitted.

An eighteenth embodiment, a touch panel 1900, is shown in FIG. 19.Sensing electrodes 20, 21, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element40, and a protective element 70 are integrally formed on a singularsubstrate 10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewable area and aneighboring area next to the viewable area and has supporting andprotective functions. The sensing electrodes 20 and 21 are configured ordisposed on different surfaces of the substrate 10. The sensingelectrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled orelectrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on one surface of thesubstrate 10. The conductive circuit 30 is configured between thesubstrate 10 and the sensing electrode 20. The masking element 40 isconfigured or disposed on the other surface of substrate 10 and betweenthe substrate 10 and the protective element 70. The masking element 40substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. Alternatively, thesensing electrode 21 can be configured or disposed between theprotective element 70 and the masking element 40, or the protectiveelement 70 can be configured or disposed between the sensing electrode21 and the masking element 40. Also, the sensing electrode 21 and themasking element 40 can be configured or disposed without overlappingbetween the protective element 70 and the substrate 10, or configuredwithout overlapping on the protective element 70. The protective element70 substantially covers the masking element 40 and the sensing electrode21. Optionally, the protective element 70 can have a reflective indexclose to the reflective index of the sensing electrode 21 and/or canprovide anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/or anti-reflective functions.Alternatively, the protective element 70 can be omitted.

A nineteenth embodiment, a touch panel 2000, is shown in FIG. 20.Sensing electrodes 20, 21, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element40, a dielectric element 60, and a protective element 70 are integrallyformed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewablearea and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and has supportingand protective functions. The sensing electrodes 20 and 21 areconfigured or disposed on different surfaces of the substrate 10. Thesensing electrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupledor electrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on one surface of thesubstrate 10. The sensing electrode 20 is configured or disposed betweenthe substrate 10 and the conductive circuit 30. The masking element 40is configured or disposed between the protective element 70 and thedielectric element 60 and substantially covers the conductive circuit30. Alternatively, the protective element 70 can be configured ordisposed between the dielectric element 60 and the masking element 40.Beside, the sensing electrode 21, the dielectric element 60 and themasking element 40 can be configured without overlapping between theprotective element 70 and the substrate 10, or configured withoutoverlapping on the protective element 70. The protective element 70substantially covers the masking element 40 and the sensing electrode 21for providing the anti-scratch, anti-glare, and/or anti-reflectivefunctions. Alternatively, the protective element 70 can be omitted. Inaddition, the dielectric element 60 is configured between the sensingelectrode 21 and the masking element 40 for providing better isolation.Thus, the sensing electrode 21 does not conduct with other sensingelectrodes via the masking element 40. Optionally, the dielectricelement 60 can have a reflective index close to the reflective index ofthe sensing electrode 21 so that the visual interference of the sensingelectrode 21 can be reduced.

A twentieth embodiment, a touch panel 2100, is shown in FIG. 21. Asensing electrodes 20, 21, a conductive circuit 30, a masking element40, a dielectric element 60, and a protective element 70 are integrallyformed on a singular substrate 10. The substrate 10 comprises a viewablearea and a neighboring area next to the viewable area and has supportingand protective functions. The sensing electrodes 20 and 21 areconfigured on different surfaces of the substrate 10. The sensingelectrode 20 and the conductive circuit 30 are directly coupled orelectrically coupled with a conductive adhesive on one surface of thesubstrate 10. The conductive circuit 30 is configured between thesubstrate 10 and the sensing electrode 20. The masking element 40 isconfigured between the protective element 70 and the dielectric element60 and substantially covers the conductive circuit 30. Alternatively,the protective element 70 can be configured between the dielectricelement 60 and the masking element 40. Also, the sensing electrode 21,the dielectric element 60 and the masking element 40 can be configuredwithout overlapping between the protective element 70 and the substrate10, or configured without overlapping on the protective element 70. Theprotective element 70 substantially covers the masking element 40 andthe sensing electrode 21 for providing the anti-scratch, anti-glare,and/or anti-reflective functions. Alternatively, the protective element70 can be omitted. In addition, the dielectric element 60 is configuredor disposed between the sensing electrode 21 and the masking element 40for providing better isolation. Thus, the sensing electrode 21 does notconduct with other sensing electrodes via the masking element 40.

This invention has been described with reference to embodiments. Itshall be understood, however, that many alternative modifications andvariations will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in thepertinent art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, thepresent invention embraces all such alternative modifications andvariations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch panel stackup, comprising: a singularintegrated substrate having a viewable area and a neighboring area nextto the viewable area; a masking element positioned at the neighboringarea of the singular integrated substrate; a touch-sensing electrodehaving a first section positioned at the viewable area of the singularintegrated substrate; a conductive circuit having a first sectionpositioned at the neighboring area of the singular integrated substrate;and a dielectric element isolating the touch-sensing electrode and theconductive circuit from the masking element, wherein: the touch-sensingelectrode and the masking element are integrally formed, the integrallyformed touch-sensing electrode and masking element are positioned undera first surface of the singular integrated substrate, the dielectricelement is only positioned at the neighboring area of the singularintegrated substrate, and the masking element is spaced apart from thefirst surface of the singular integrated substrate by the dielectricelement.
 2. The touch panel stackup of claim 1, wherein: thetouch-sensing electrode further has a second section positioned at theneighboring area of the singular integrated substrate, the touch-sensingelectrode directly contacts a first portion of the first surface of thesingular integrated substrate, the first section of the conductivecircuit directly contacts the second section of the touch-sensingelectrode and a second portion of the first surface of the singularintegrated substrate, and the dielectric element directly contacts athird portion of the first surface of the singular integrated substrate.3. The touch panel stackup of claim 2, wherein the first section of theconductive circuit directly contacts a side surface and a bottom surfaceof the second section of the touch-sensing electrode facing away fromthe first surface of the singular integrated substrate.
 4. The touchpanel stackup of claim 2, wherein: the first section of the conductivecircuit has a main portion and an extending portion, and the secondsection of the touch-sensing electrode is positioned between thesingular integrated substrate and the extending portion of the firstsection of the conductive circuit.
 5. The touch panel stackup of claim2, wherein the dielectric element has a U-shaped structure and surroundsthe conductive circuit.
 6. The touch panel stackup of claim 5, whereinthe U-shaped structure is positioned at the neighboring area of thesingular integrated substrate.
 7. The touch panel stackup of claim 2,wherein the first section of the conductive circuit is positionedbetween the singular integrated substrate, the second section of thetouch-sensing electrode, and the dielectric element.
 8. The touch panelstackup of claim 2, wherein the dielectric element comprises astep-structure fitting the first section of the conductive circuit andthe second section of the touch-sensing electrode.
 9. The touch panelstackup of claim 1, wherein the masking element is made of a black or asubstantially opaque photoresistor, resin, or ink.
 10. The touch panelstackup of claim 1, wherein: the touch-sensing electrode further has asecond section positioned at the neighboring area of the singularintegrated substrate, and the dielectric element directly contacts thefirst surface of the singular integrated substrate and a bottom surfaceof the second section of the touch-sensing electrode facing away fromthe first surface of the singular integrated substrate.
 11. The touchpanel stackup of claim 10, wherein: the touch-sensing electrode directlycontacts the first surface of the singular integrated substrate.
 12. Thetouch panel stackup of claim 11, wherein: the first section of theconductive circuit directly contacts the first surface of the singularintegrated substrate and the bottom surface of the second section of thetouch-sensing electrode.
 13. The touch panel stackup of claim 12,wherein a portion of the dielectric element is spaced apart from thefirst surface of the singular integrated substrate by the second sectionof the touch-sensing electrode and the first section of the conductivecircuit.
 14. The touch panel stackup of claim 10, wherein: the firstsection of the conductive circuit directly contacts the first surface ofthe singular integrated substrate and the bottom surface of the secondsection of the touch-sensing electrode.
 15. The touch panel stackup ofclaim 1, wherein: the touch-sensing electrode further has a secondsection positioned at the neighboring area of the singular integratedsubstrate, and a portion of the dielectric element is spaced apart fromthe first surface of the singular integrated substrate by the secondsection of the touch-sensing electrode and the first section of theconductive circuit.
 16. The touch panel stackup of claim 15, wherein aportion of the masking element is separated from the first surface ofthe singular integrated substrate by the second section of thetouch-sensing electrode, the first section of the conductive circuit,and the dielectric element.
 17. The touch panel stackup of claim 1,wherein: the touch-sensing electrode further has a second sectionpositioned at the neighboring area of the singular integrated substrate,and the second section of the touch-sensing electrode is in directcontact with a bottom surface of the first section of the conductivecircuit facing away from the first surface of the singular integratedsubstrate.
 18. The touch panel stackup of claim 17, wherein a portion ofthe dielectric element is spaced apart from the first surface of thesingular integrated substrate by the first section of the conductivecircuit and the second section of the touch-sensing electrode.
 19. Thetouch panel stackup of claim 1, wherein: the touch-sensing electrodefurther has a second section positioned at the neighboring area of thesingular integrated substrate, and the dielectric element is in contactwith a bottom surface of the first section of the conductive circuitfacing away from the first surface of the singular integrated substrateand a bottom surface of the second section of the touch-sensingelectrode facing away from the first surface of the singular integratedsubstrate.
 20. A touch panel stackup, comprising: a substrate having aviewable area and a neighboring area next to the viewable area; amasking element positioned at the neighboring area of the substrate; atouch-sensing electrode having a first section positioned at theviewable area of the substrate; a conductive circuit having a firstsection positioned at the neighboring area of the substrate; and adielectric element isolating the touch-sensing electrode and theconductive circuit from the masking element, wherein: the touch-sensingelectrode and masking element are positioned under a first surface ofthe substrate, the dielectric element is only positioned at theneighboring area of the substrate, and the masking element is spacedapart from the first surface of the substrate by the dielectric element.